Scholes out till New Year

United will be without Paul Scholes until the New Year after Sir Alex confirmed the midfielder is still struggling to shake off a niggling groin injury.

John O’Shea is the Reds’ only other injury concern ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea with the defender set to miss out with a calf strain.

Sir Alex is looking forward to the clash and despite not having tasted victory at Stamford Bridge since 2002, the manager remains in confident mood.

“It’s a big one for us,” the boss said on Friday morning. “Our record down there has been poor over the last eight years. We’ve managed a few draws, but we’ve lost afew too. Our record up until then was fantastic – Stamford Bridge was the place we probably had our best record.

“They’re a tough team to beat on their own ground, their home record tells you that. But I’m going into the game with a strong, confident squad. You want to go there in good form and we are in good form.”

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